SAN FRANCISCO -- California Labor Commissioner Roberta Mendonca
announced today a "one-stop-does-it-all" arrangement for garment manufacturers
that will streamline the business permit application process for Los Angeles'
apparel community.

A kick-off event for the new pilot program begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at City
Hall, 201 North Main Street, Room 101, Los Angeles.

Intended as a way to ease the application process for responsible employers
and weed out those who are not, this one-stop permit concept was first
suggested by the Labor Commissioner in May. Through the coordinating efforts
of the California Trade and Commerce Agency and key members of the apparel
industry it has reached fruition.

"This one-stop-does-it-all process allows garment contractors and
manufacturers to obtain all the necessary licenses and certifications from the
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Employment Development Department,
the City and County of Los Angeles and other governmental jurisdictions at one
time," said Labor Commissioner Mendonca.

The process will also help in ensuring that the applicant has indeed
been given permission to conduct business in Los Angeles by each authority
before final acceptance is granted.

Under the pilot program, an applicant may enter the system at any point and
receive everything he or she requires. No longer will an applicant be forced
to work between different departments or offices.

Additionally, garment manufacturing applicants with on-line capabilities can
access the California Universal Business Application at
www.ca.gov/teale/perm and information on the program is available on the
Department of Industrial Relations' homepage at www.dir.ca.gov.